The Hygiene Habit Flight Attendants Don't Want Passengers Doing On Airplanes

From the moment you enter an airport to the moment you collect your luggage from the carousel at your destination, traveling by plane is its own little world, with its own particular etiquette and modes of behavior – even if some of that behavior may seem weird or unexpected. Whether it's having a beer at 9 a.m., sleeping on the floor, or wearing those peculiar compression socks to avoid DVT, airplane passengers do things they probably wouldn't do in any other situation.

Flight attendants are the unsung heroes of the airplane world. They marshal this unique ecosystem, ensuring the comfort and safety of passengers while taking care of their (sometimes unusual) requests. They deserve enormous respect for managing the odd behaviors of some passengers, but there are certain limits, and sometimes the things travelers do while on an airplane go beyond the acceptable. For example, personal grooming while sitting in a seat on the plane is usually frowned upon, and flight attendants say taking care of dental hygiene, specifically flossing, is one of the worst things passengers can do.

Most passengers would be amazed that anyone thinks it is appropriate to take care of your dental routine in public, let alone while seated in close proximity to other travelers. However, the unique atmosphere of an airplane means that some people sometimes lose sight of what's appropriate.

Self-care is an important part of staying comfortable while flying, particularly on long-haul flights or in economy. Taking care of your appearance and your personal hygiene is a vital part of flying in comfort, and helps passengers arrive at their destination feeling fresh and relaxed. However, there is a time and a place for grooming, and flight attendants are clear that flossing while sat in your seat is a no-no. Over on Reddit, flight attendant u/Airkoryo_ says, "An alarming amount of passengers feel the absolute compulsion to floss their teeth or clean their ears in flight and then just toss their floss or q tips on the floor for me to clean up in between turns." Not only is this deeply unpleasant behavior, and arguably unhygienic, but it is also incredibly disrespectful to flight attendants who have other, more important things to do than clean up after passengers.

Heather Poole, a flight attendant and author, told Johnny Jet, "I've had a few passengers ask if I had any dental floss they could use. Where else but a plane does it seem perfectly normal to ask a complete stranger for something out of their toiletry bag?" It sounds like it should go without saying, but if you floss at your seat, or ask to borrow floss from the cabin crew, then flight attendants are going to judge you!

Of course, flight attendants are not suggesting that you throw your personal care out of the window when you are flying. Brushing your teeth and freshening up at the airport and during the flight is important and valid. But there are a variety of unspoken airplane etiquette rules, and it is always worth thinking about how your behavior affects others. Taking care of hygiene is something that is best done in the restrooms provided!